Functional Food

Astaxanthin: what is this natural pigment?

In short: astaxanthin is a red carotenoid (antioxidant) that is made naturally by the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis and gives salmon its colour. Supplements often use the natural algae form, a few milligrams per softgel. No health claims for astaxanthin are authorised in the EU. Astaxanthin is a natural pigment that gives salmon, prawns and flamingos their pink to red colour. It belongs to the carotenoids, the same family that beta-carotene belongs to. In this article you can read, factually, what astaxanthin is, where it comes from, the difference between natural and synthetic astaxanthin and what to look for when choosing a supplement.